Advanced monofins

[Michael]

This year in Nice I purchased one of the Andronov copies from Alexey M. As others have commented, it is extremely bouyant, but also very heavy. I think this makes it excellent for dynamics because it creates more momentum. However, at depth, when it compresses and losses some of its bouyancy, it is heavy, so there is a greater than normal bouyancy shift.

That being said, using that mono has been great fun. It was like a breath of fresh air for my diving. The bouyancy shift does not bother me too much, I just start the dive lighter than I normally would.

[Waterenthusiast]

Hello everyone,

As far as i understand there is a special Freedive version for the Leaderfins flyer model, where the rubber is not subject to buoyancy changes. What i'd like to know is how the hyper model reacts to compression, cause obviously this fin is a great one for dynamics, but what about buoyancy changes in CW?

Christophe (who is tempted to spend his christmas money on a new monofin )

[jome]

I have asked this from leader fins as well as two national contacts, but none would give an answer I was happy with...

I'd simply like to know:
-What makes the difference in the two Flyers (what material) and is the FD Flyer neutral or sinking, if it does not float (i'd prefer neutral)
-How big a buoyancy change can you expect with the Hyper
-Is it possible to get a Flyer with a bigger angle in the footpocket (like Hyper).

I also had a mail conversation with the "polyorg" guy, who claims to supply Andronov fins. He assured that it would be ok to order them through him, but when I asked about quality, he said Leaderfins is superior in quality. Dunno, hard to say...I'm sure these are not the original, hand made Andronovs, those cost around 1000e. Some kind of clones of unknown origin.

For me it's pretty much down to Flyer, but I cannot decide the stiffness and for some reason I'm still considering actually getting the swimming version (at least if it turns out the FD version is a sinking fin).

[SanSan]

I'm also down to finswiming flyer. I'd like fin with positive flotation for the pool disciplines because i think it realy helps the back kick and I don't do much constant.

As far as I understand the freediving flyer is neutral and the buoyanci doesn't change.

As for buoyanci change in finswimming flyer i have no idea how big it is.

[rafacuatic]

Jome.
The Flyer freediving and finswimming wheights the same,¨3'5 kilos,but the "free" have the wings made from solid rubber (and sinks in the water).The swimming version have the wings made by mousse rubber(soft,like neoprene).And sinks also in the water(less), but it compreses in the deep...
The mono is heavy in the land,but is perfect in the water(i dont feel the wheight).Too stable,easy to use,like improvinng the tecnic, and fast if you want to sprint it.(mine is medium)
The angle is good(the Hyper have more),and the position of the footpockets is an advantage from the "classic" monos i used(ww,matmas,guidone..).
I think Leaderfins can make diferent combinations if you want.
Sorry for my english
Rafa

[jome]

Thanks for the info, it is starting to sound good!

[Ben Gowland]

Has anyone else used the full-footpocket waterway versions (no bend in the blade)?

[Kars]

It would be nice if people come up with comparisons between different fins, types and brands.

I've now two Waterway fins,

A Model 2, middle distance;
The one I started with, great for intensive, middle to high speed monofinning, but you need more develloped muscles. After two years in hindsight I recomment the model 2 long distance version for beginners, because it's easyer to learn technique with a softer blade.

A model 1 Long distance,
This is my current love, it's big and flexible in the right direction. Allows for slower swimming, more fitting to freediving. It's very price friendly, arround E 140.

I've also recently swam with a Specialfins' Freediving monofin 'dolphin'.
To me it was rubbish, and viewing the owner swim with it he had the same problem of folding the blade. The blade bends in the wrong direction (folds) when swimming. This way very much the energy is lost making it a night and day difference to my Waterway model 1 Long distance. Currently I and the other guy do about a 130m, but as a competitor I fear the day he would have a new monofin. I told him after he tried mine and loved it, that he would do easily a 150+ when he would borrow my fin for a few days. I'm sure he would be very interested in this tread!

More comparisons please,

Love Peace and water!

Kars.

[jome]

With a small leap of faith, I ordered the Freediving Flyer. I say small, because having tried the finswimming version, I already know it is a good fin. I just wonder if the swimming version would've been better...Well you have to take risks in life And my main focus definately is CW...

Will tell you how it goes...Man, 2 weeks suddenly seems like a very long time...Kind of like waiting for christmas as a chlild

[Tbird]

My waterway classic 1 medium stiffness just showed up (after a 2 month long wait!) and you're right, it is just like Xmas. Cannot wait to try it out (it looks massive compared to the special fins dolphin carbon).

Anyone out there tried this fin?

Theo.

[Tbird]

doh! just reread Kars's post above!

[Alun]

my friend once had a Model 1 medium distance, and i thought it was very stiff. too stiff for freediving i thought. the designs are always changing so they one you have may well be softer and more suitable for long distance apnea.

i have a long distance model 2 and i think it's good for fresh water but i think it's too stiff for saltwater (red sea anyway). i really notice the difference the first few times i use it after arriving in Dahab, and again after arriving home.

i find i used to suffer more leg fatigue in Dahab than in fresh water at home. i think it's because i'm working harder against the dense water. i'll eventually get myself one fin for fresh and another for the red sea.

[Tbird]

Alun

is model 2 slightly narrower than model 1? Also does medium distance mean medium stiffness? I found that to get the full benefit of a stiff fin I had to 1) do some leg strength exercises like hill runs and gymwork on the quads and 2) learn to undulate properly, using the abs and back efficiently as well as the legs.

So I am moving onto a larger stiff fin. My thinking is that a wider longer fin would suit my height better. That's why I think the relatively small carbon dolphin from specialfins is ideal for shorter divers.

[Alun]

yes, narrower and slightly shorter too i think. yes, medium distance is stiffer than long distance. BUT you often find that the stiffness varies a lot between the same type of fin. you might come across two model2 long distance fins and they may be totally different - if they were built at different times.

working on the muscles will help for sure. rather than pure strength i think a better exercise is hard anaerobic work that builds up lots of lactic acid over a period of about 60-90secs. also isometric exercises using a leg extension machine to work the VMOs. i think some fins are just too stiff for deep diving, no matter how fit your legs are - not saying that yours is too stiff. it's all relative anyway. what's fine for a 30m dive may not be fine for a 100m dive.

[Kars]

Indeed Tbird, taller divers need in general bigger fins, but I don't know the exact formula for that.

I have not noticed any difference in sweet and salt water, but I think it could be a valid influence and should be examined. Good point Alun!

The Model 1 is indeed wider, and a bit longer.
The fins indeed change and no delivery is exactly the same as the previous is a thing I heart from many different sources. My fin are from 2003. I see a waterway fin as a good entry fin, capeble of very impressive perfomances. Think about Carlos Coste's WR's. But the next level up is the wing design, and I love to get my hands on some of these. The best availe I think is the E 1000 tailor made fin, but euhm I will adept my style to the fin for a while, since I don't have the cash to do it the other way arround!

I'm still wondering where all the people are that have more experience with different monofins?

Love, Peace and Water!

Kars